Folding table



(No Model.)

FOLDING- TABLE.

No. 390,340. Patented Oct. 2, 1888.

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UNITED STATES ABRAHAM T. H. BROWVER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 390,340, datedOctoberz, 1888.

Application filed l ehruary 2, 1888. Serial No 262,829.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknow n that i, ABRAHAM T. H. Baowna, ofChicago, Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables, of whichthe following is a specification.

Myinvention consists in a novel arrangement and construction of thespreading frames of a folding table, so that the whole will fold together neatly and compactly, and also possess the requisite strength.

It further consists in the particular construction and arrangement ofparts,as hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out inthe claim.

Figurel is a perspective view of a folding table embodying my invention.Fig. 2 is a. detail view of the spreading frames of said table. Fig. 3is a plan view of the same with the top shown in dotted lines. Fig. 4isa vertical section of the same on lines a; a", Fig. 3, with partsbroken away, showing the axis.

A represents the table.

B 13 represent the spreading frames.

0 represents the legs.

'D D represent the leg-braces.

E represents the bolt which forms the axis.

F represents the casing about the bolt E for ornamenting and stiffeningthe same.

My invention consists, chiefly, in the peculiar construction and form ofthe spreading frames B B and in the arrangement of the axis E, by whicha single extended axis serves forboth the frames B B and the leg-bracesD D.

The frames B B are constructed of plain rectangular bars, preferably ofwood, of equal width and thickness, so shaped as to exactly conform toeach other when closed, lying side by side, with their outer sidesparallel, as in Fig. 1. Thisis accomplished by the followingconstruction: The frame B is cutin a form such that if the plane inwhich its inner face lies be extended it will divide said frameinto twoequal similar portions, one lying on one side and the other on the otherside of said plane, and their adjacent extremities overlapping eachother for a short distance. B is then formed in the exact counterpart ofB, and the edge of each is cutinto at its middle overlapping portionhalf-way through, forming a notch in each, into which, when one isinverted or reversed, the other will tit and the two will closecompactly together, as above (No model.)

described. In other words, both B and B are so shaped that the outerportions of each, lying in opposite directions on either side of themiddle portion, where they are intended to cross,'are set at a slightangle to the line of direction of said crossing portion, with the in nerface of each, as they lie when closed, on either side of the middleportion lying inthe same plane. Then by notchingeach, asabove described,and inverting one upon the other, thctwo will close compactlytogether,filling all interstices and the inner faces ofeach lying flattogether, forming a regular, even, rectangular figure, the thickness ofwhich will be equal to the combined thickness of the two and the depthor width equal to that of one. Itis obvious that these two bars B B neednot of necessitybe of rectangular form, but may be made ofroundedrods,if desired, the ad vantage in the rectangular or square form beingthat in a closed position they form a more compact and symmetricalfigure. The upper edges of these frames should properly be brought toabout the same level, in order to form a good and substantial supportfor the table-top when opened out, the form and outline of the loweredge being of course immaterial. The legs 0 are attached to theextremities of the frames B B.

The axis E passes through the middle point of the crossing portion of BB. E is formed of a single rod or metallic bolt. This rod or bolt isextended downward, passing through the middle point of the leg-braces DD, where they cross each other, and there forming an axis similar tothat of the frames B B. This rod or bolt E may be incased in acovering,F, of wood or other suitable material, to stiffen and ornament it. Ethus acts both as an axis for B B and D D, and also acts as abrace andsupport for the leg-braces and legs, adding greatly to their strengthand durability. If it is found that sufficient strength is obtainedwithout the use of the leg-braces D D, it is obvious that E may be usedas a single axis for B B, and not extended below the frames.

I prefer to construct my table principally of wood, cut and arranged inthe form and man ner described; but it is obvious that the material usedis not an essential feature of my invention.

The ad vantage as to strength in the peculiar form of my spreadingframes B and B, it will be seen, consists in so disposing of thematerial of which they are constructed that they will have theirgreatest depth or width at their extremities, so that the legs may befirmly attached thereto,and having their greatest thickness in themiddle portion, through which the axis must pass, and which wouldotherwise have the tendency to weaken them. Thus it will be seen thatgreat strength is combined with great compactness.

I make no claim to the construction or arrangement of the folding topand the manner of attaching the same to the spreading frames, all ofwhich may be done in the usual and well-known ways; but i What I doclaim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a folding table, a frame for supporting the top and carrying thelegs,composed of two rectangular horizontallydisposed bars of even depthand thickness, crossing each other at their middle points andnotchedtogether at said crossing portion, so as to bring the upper edgeofeach on about the same level, and swinging on an axis through saidmiddle portion, the outer portions of each on opposite sides of the axisbeing olj'l'set sufficiently to bring the inner faces of each on eitherside of the axis in the same plane, so that thewhole will closeconipactly together with even top and substantiall y parallel sides,substantially as described.

ABRAHAM T. H. BROWER.

\Vitnesses:

L. V. LE 1\'[OYNE, It. B. BAooN.

